No career gain after pricey private school education, study shows

COSTLY private schools do not give students any long-term boost in the job market or improve their salary prospects, and parents may be wasting their money, a new study has found.

COSTLY private schools do not give students any long-term boost in the job market or improve their salary prospects, a new study has found.

University of Melbourne ­researcher Jenny Chesters says parents may be wasting their money on private primary and secondary schools, judging by post-school outcomes.

“Attendance of a non-­government school was not ­associated with an increased likelihood of being employed on a full-time basis, being ­employed as a manager or ­professional or with higher earnings at age 24,” she said.

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“Unless parents and governments are seeking non-monetary returns to their investments in private schooling, they may be over-investing in primary and secondary school education.”

Dr Chesters examined the salaries and jobs of more than 3800 private school students at age 24 who did year 10 in 2003.

Elle, in year 10 at McKinnon Secondary College, has an equal chance of life success. Picture: David Caird

She found the students’ achievement levels reflected the social-economic status of their parents, not the type of school they attended.

Her findings come as the fees at some top private schools edge towards $40,000 a year.

Independent Schools Victoria chief executive Michelle Green said: “Parents firstly think about the needs of their children now, when they are at school and where they will spend up to 14 years of their young lives. They want this ­experience to be secure and engaging for their children.”

Research by Independent Schools Victoria shows parents choose private schools for the school’s values, beliefs and ­attitudes. “Academic results are eighth on the list and ­anticipated monetary returns don’t rate a mention,” Ms Green said.

Research by Independent Schools Victoria shows parents choose private schools for the school’s values, beliefs and ­attitudes.

“And you can’t measure a young person’s career success by looking at where they are aged 24. At that age, many have just started their working lives,” she said.

Elle, 16, from Bentleigh East, is enjoying year 10 at McKinnon Secondary College.

“We are lucky to live in an area where there are decent public schools,” said her mother Noula said. “We decided to move into the McKinnon zone because of its reputation.

“It was the best thing we’ve ever done. The school has been terrific because of the quality of teaching and the principal, who is really passionate about her school.”

State government figures show 139,327 out of nearly one million Victorian school students go to independent schools, excluding Catholic schools.

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